Ford Getting Serious About Sirius?
Today, I woke up to a very cold December morning. No heat nor hot water for that matter as well. I got into my work truck a bit disgruntled to say the least, turned on the heat and discovered that I had no heat there also. Typical Monday morning! After a brief stop to get my morning coffee, I headed to the local Ford dealer.
I found it ironic as I pulled into the lot that I was drinking Green Mountain Coffee, driving a Ford, and listening to Sirius; All of which I own stock in. Right in front of my parking space was a large Sirius XM banner, and a box of Green Mountain Coffee at the Ford dealership! Go figure.
Of course my mind begins to awake as the coffee begins the morning thaw, and I zip back inside to question the all too bored sales staff. I admit, I should have asked a million or so questions, but lets face it, I was pretty much frozen at that point. I always have this mentality to ask the most important question first in the off-chance that I do not get a second question in. I own 3 Ford’s so I figured I might get an answer or two.
I figured the most important question to ask if I had only one was in regard to the current Sirius penetration rates of the cars on the lot. The salesman seemed astonished at my question. According to this one salesman at this one Ford dealership (which I admit falls far short of sufficient market research) Sirius is equipped in EVERY NEW CAR on their lot. That response took me by surprise, and I questioned him further as I explained the targeted penetration rates for the model year. He again repeated that to the best of his knowledge, Sirius is equipped in every new Ford on their lot!
100% penetration? Are you sure? “Yes, we just have to activate it!”
Now as I stated, this is only one Ford dealer. What’s it like in your hometown? Got a moment? Pop into your local car dealer and drop us a line here at SiriusBuzz. We’d like to know!
Positions: Long SIRI, GMCR, F
Brandon –
Good news & I wonder if Sirius is keeping news quiet about their latest penetration rate deals they are cutting. Maybe here something Dec 18th ?
I have been wondering myself if Sirius could get some of these OEM’s to agree to 100% penetration rates to help support their model and give the OEM’s more revenue aswell. Not sure why it’s such a struggle.
Big #’s could come out of Toyota because they have not really ramped up like Ford, Chrysler. GM is costly right now, so I’m not in a rush there unless the #’s can be reworked to be more favorable to Sirius.
Thanks for reporting this & we should check out other dealers like you suggest.
The most exciting part of your article is not the article (sorry), but your picture showing the POSTER in the Ford Dealership. THIS IS WHAT EVERYONE WAS QUESTIONING! It’s like Sirius Xm was being too shy about their product. Your picture spoke a thousand words. That’s exciting! I think we are on our way up.
the ford dealers have the option to install sirius or order cars with them installed–If they happen to see in their area a demand for the service, they can request all their cars to come equipped with sirius–I dont thinkits 100% penetration, but could be the dealer decision to have all their cars equiped, whether factory installed or dealer installed
Brandon,
Interesting article.. I am not a SATRAD subscriber(yet) just an investor. I went into a Honda dealership the other day to get some service done and he asked how I like my new Accord. I replied it is nice, but I am a little disappointed it didn’t come with XM. He replied by saying “You are not missing much XM kind of sucks. I have it”
How is that for a sales pitch?
Long: SIRI
JohnnyDrama,
You need to buy a Ford…….
Johnny Drama,
Let’s be honest. Prior to the merger xm did kind of suck. No Howard, No NFL, No NASCAR, No NBA.
but wait a minute Brandon, If I had a Honda and XM… I get Oprah, and … and Oprah, and I guy who services my car that thinks XM sucks.. LOL
Cos/Brandon,
I was a little surprised. Evidently this guy was not in sales for a reason. I own a Honda and a Nissan( I am done with US cars for a reason) We had the Nissan serviced today and I saw they were selling a device called Parrot, your standard navigation devices and I saw a few posters about XM(posters were nothing extravagant like you saw at the Ford dealership)
Johnny Drama –
If what you said is true, that salesperson is an idiot. He either is an Apple Ipod fan or Sirius fan, but to say the service sucks is just ludicrous.
You might even be a NAB planted basher
sxminvestor,
Is that your answer for everything? If someone says something they are automatically a basher? I am long SIRI, and have been for 8 months. I feel the pain(not as much as some) but it exists. I said I do not have the service, but plan to in the near future. I just think it is silly when people automatically jump to conclusions that everyone is a basher.
Good Day and Good Riddance!
Drama –
I said it was either/or, so now I go back to that ignorant statement that the Ford salesperson made. He’s either bashing service for some unknown reason or just making ignorant statement.
And Brandon – how could you make a statemnet like that? Do you think every MLB game sucks, XM’s music sucked ? I don’t think so. I have had both services for years and they are both pretty incredible, especially for the price.
Brandon, Brandon,
You are comparing apples to oranges!!!
I believe xm had a larger sub count before the merger, but correct me if I am wrong. I would advise to stop drinking from the punch bowl, or switch your water supply source. Both had great content, and I admit I still am trying to get use to the merge. The NBA died with Jordan, NASCAR died when #3 left us, and as long as the Cubs keep choking I am content. Plus the NHL, died when Gary Betman came in and diluted the sport, just like our share float.
If you show the same thing to 10 different people, you will get ten different responses. Unless you live in Chicago, then you will see true corruption and bias, as I do.
Long/SIRI
Short/Chicago